You Should Invest in Danish Mid Century Modern Furniture... Here's Why

Never mind stocks or RRSP’s…

Vintage, Danish designed furniture may not be your idea of a sound “investment” but, if you take your time, do your research and buy wisely you could just pick yourself up something which will not only be usable now but can also bring you a return in the long run. Danish Modern Mid-Century furniture was very well made with simple designs and hard-wearing materials — teak, rosewood, plastics & fibreglass to name a few and as a result can still be beautiful and functional (if properly looked after) as the day they were made.

 

While furniture from this era was durable, it was also stylish and relatively affordable, making it the choice for many. The clean lines, organic curves, and, at the time, modern materials mean that mid century pieces look just as at home in a contemporary environment as they do in a period interior. Take the 3107 Chair or Series 7 Chair, designed by the iconic Danish architect Arne Jacobsen  in 1955— you can walk down any street in Denmark and see this steam bent plywood & metal legged chair in cafes, bars, libraries and banks, even the Copenhagen airport is completely outfitted with this timeless chair…not to mention around any number of dining tables in homes!

And truthfully, the cheap, mass produced replicas pale in comparison to the originals.

 

Like most things, particular designers are more collectable (and therefore more valuable!) than others. Buying items designed by these iconic designers can bring you a sound investment if you buy them for the right money. If you like Danish Mid Century furniture then you may already be familiar with some of the key names. If you’re new to it, then even just a few minutes of research will inform your browsing and shopping. Names like Wegner, Juhl, Jalk, Vodder, Andersen, Mogensen to name a few. If someone is selling something by one of these designers, then it is, at the very least, worth a closer look. But make sure you inspect the item carefully, especially if that deal seems a little too good to be true. But before you take out a second mortgage to buy that PK22 Chair by Poul Kjaerholm, be sure to read our article on the tips before you buy.